The Dreaded handshakes

I am Susan and been living with RA for more than a decade now. When life throws lemons, you make the best lemonade possible! In my making of lemonade, l devised my own way of making life comfortable and less stressful despite the many challenges that come with RA. Examples: l have my own way of walking and descending the stairs. I put my phone on loud speaker when l can't hold the phone to my ears, l use straw when picking up a glass to sip is too difficult or leave my hair down when pulling a ponytail is just impossible. (Yes, getting simple stuff done can be a struggle).

RA restricts movement and I have gone through months of physio to recover the usage of most of my joints, especially my elbows, wrists and fingers. This is why I have come to dislike handshakes. In our part of the world, it's offensive when someone offers a handshake and you refuse to especially when there are no physical signs of disability.

There was this time l went to Sunyani and one of my dad's friend's came over. He offered his hand for a handshake and l did not estimate he was going to give me a serious shake. When l offered my hand and before l could say jack, he used both hands to take mine in a very firm grasp. l screamed out so loud (which was unintentional) that the man did not shake me for a long time. Till date he taps on my shoulder or asks if he can shake me before he does.

When l remember that incident and the look on his face, l begin to laugh. He didn't know just a simple handshake could cause so much pain which would take days to recover. I thank God that flares (when the disease is very active) have become fewer these days and l have recovered most of my hand functions.
 

So the next time you offer your hand for a handshake and l refuse, kindly pardon me because l might be having one of my NO HANDSHAKE EPISODES!